Sorry you're having such a tough time with the doctor's office. Have you checked other nearby counties? We live in Pasco, but typically go to Hillsborough, but maybe there is someone in Pinellas? Just a thought. As far as the prescription for the med goes, your pharmacy can always call the office and get a renewal for you, so you don't even have to deal with the office yourself. Most retail pharmacies have an efficient system to do this.
I have learned that when you want test results, you often get lost in the shuffle. I always call myself; several years ago, I had an abnormal pap result, My office didn't call me, and by the time I called them, I had to get another pap because they wanted to check for HPV. If I had called sooner, I could have avoided a second PAP, plus I would have been following up much sooner. Fortunately, it turned out to be a non-issue in my case, but lesson learned. Since you may have to deal with this office if there are no other options, you will probably just have to concede that you will have to call them. If you lower your expectations of them, it won't bother you as much.
As for dealing with rude office staff, I've been there as well, Maybe there is one person in the office who is "better" than the others? If so, try to deal with them when you can. If they get to know you more personally, then you're more likely to have a positive experience.
It does sound as if the doctor was rude, and I don't excuse him. But having been on the other side of things like that, I also wonder how your question came across to him. There are so many things that go on in health care that the typical patient isn't aware of. I work in a hospital now, but I used to work in a retail pharmacy. When we told people it would take 20 or 30 minutes for a prescription, you wouldn't believe the attitudes we would get. People would expect that since "all" we did was pour pills from one bottle to another and slap a label on it, we should be done in 5 minutes. In reality, there were usually several prescriptions being worked on, plus we need to be sure everything is correct.. doses, etc. Not something you want to rush. I never said it, but I often wanted to: " we are not Mc Donalds. "
There are many things that can be going on behind the scenes, so just try to keep that in mind. It could be a phone call from the hospital regarding an inpatient having a problem, or from an insurance company, etc. I try to look it at as if they are running behind, then it's probably because they are taking extra time with their patients when they need to. I would rather have that than the alternative. I know it's tough with a toddler, I have a 2 year old. Just keep doing what you're doing and hang in there!
Hope this helps somewhat.
